Tom Croft drafted into the Lions squad

21/05/2009

Leicester and England flanker Tom Croft has been drafted into the Lions squad after Munster flanker Alan Quinlan failed in his bid to overturn a 12-week suspension for eye-gouging during the Heineken Cup semi-final earlier this month.

Lions head coach Ian McGeechan called Croft this evening to confirm that he would be travelling to South Africa. Many commentators had expected the Leicester player to make the original 36-man squad but the 23-year-old now has the opportunity to stake his claim for a Test place.

The Lions management are also set to call up another back following the news that Wales winger Leigh Halfpenny will join up with the squad two weeks into the tour after picking up a thigh injury.